Visually Impaired Resource Guide Assistive Technology For Students With Low Vision Computers

Computers

Assessment of ocular condition and functional vision is critical in making decisions regarding modifications to the computer environment for students with low vision. The environment for each student may differ and the environment needs may change during the day.

Prerequisite Skills

• has potential to read print on screen (with or without magnification and speech)

Skills:

The student will be able to:

• Open and work in a word processing document.
• Write: compose, edit, find specific text, copy, and paste in a word processing document.
• Read: through the use of auditory feedback, read by word, line, read all, pause reading, resume reading.
• Save work to the harddrive, to a specific folder on the harddrive, to a disk.
• Print work on a printer.
• Use keyboard equivalent keys for cut, copy, paste, magnification on/off, scroll reading (where available), pause reading, resume reading.
• Select text to: enlarge, shrink, and read.
• Customize and set as default setting: font, size, magnification level, and speech (rate, volume).
• Use on-line help menu to explore / learn new tasks.
• Make macros or templates that include: name, date, subject, etc.
• Explore and use other application software such as: encyclopedia, dictionary, web browsers, calculator, etc.

Strategies:

The student will be able to:

• Make adjustments to operating system (initially the setup would be done for the student). (see section: A comparison of accessibility options for Low Vision users in the Macintosh and Windows environments)
• Choose font, size, style, and spacing, in the application program, as required. Set as default. (see section: Word processing with large font)
• Use a word processor with large print and auditory feedback. (see section: Talking Word Processors)
• Use a document reader with user-generated text and e-text. (see section: Screen magnification with Speech Capabilities)
• Use screen magnification software. (see section: Screen Magnification)
• Use screen magnification software with screen review and document reader capabilities. (see section: Word Processing/Screen Magnification)

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